Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte

A year or so ago, when Newt Gingrich called Obama "the Food Stamp President," I was on the CNN set with John King when he told of his dad, having lost his job, needed to apply for Food Stamps.

Tears welled up in John's eyes and I could feel his dad's humiliation. It was a very moving moment.

The failure to help middle class families lies directly at the feet of Barack Obama. This astonishing 46.7 million number has nothing to do with Republicans wanting to change the tax code. The tax code has been exactly the same during Obama's entire term.

Under Obama's guidance about 1.5 million additional middle class families' incomes have slipped to the point that they need Food Stamp assistance. And that's not since January 2009. That's just in the past year.

I am not opposed to those who are legitimately in need temporarily receiving food stamps, unemployment insurance, or any other form of government assistance. We are the wealthiest nation in the history of the world and the $16 trillion deficit will not disappear by withholding that assistance from those who need it.

What I am opposed to is a President who sees that as a fact of life in America. Another "new normal." I would much rather (and I suspect most recipients would rather) the President see these programs as emergency aid while those receiving them are being trained to re-enter the workforce in a growing economy.

That 46.7 million number has everything to do with yet another number: 8.3 percent - the current official unemployment rate. As you know that number will be updated on Friday and there is no chance it will dip below 8 percent.

Fewer Americans working. More Americans on Food Stamps. Is it why Obama thinks he deserves to be re-elected?

Oh, and according to Bloomberg.com, the two states with the highest growth in food stamp use? Louisiana and … North Carolina.